It’s an honor to be part of the Executive Editorial Board for Chicago Woman—and to invite you in to the June issue. As The Chicago Network’s President and CEO, it’s humbling to lead an organization of some of our city’s most senior professional women—women who are leaders in their industries and most importantly, their communities. One of our top priorities is to harness the power and talent of our 400+ members to pay it forward and cultivate the next generation of women leaders, through two key initiatives. Our Future Leaders Program partners with three area universities to provide exposure to career opportunities for women students through day-long visits to our members’ corporations and nonprofit organizations. These bright and talented young women are often the first in their families to go to college, and our Future Leaders Program helps level the playing field so participants can expand their horizons when considering careers. We also endeavor to provide valuable and practical tools for women who are already climbing their career ladders, through our annual leadership conference. At Launch Pad for Women Senior Leaders, our members share their experiences and lessons learned on what is often a nonlinear journey to senior leadership positions. And, each April we gather nearly 1,700 members of Chicago’s business and civic communities for our Women in the Forefront Luncheon. Videos from these programs, as well as resources for women seeking corporate board positions, are accessible on our website, www.thechicagonetwork.org.

Part of what makes Chicago a great city is this spirit of giving back and making sure we bring the next generation of talented women through the door with us. In every issue of Chicago Woman, you will encounter several voices asking how they can help instead of what they can get in return. We hope this inspires you to have an impact in your own company and community. With everyone doing their part, Chicago can brighten the future for women and girls.